noun

palindrome

PAL-in-drohm

Palindrome (noun) means a word, phrase, number or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards, ignoring spaces, punctuation and capital letters. Example: “Racecar, kayak and level are the palindromes everyone learns first.”

noun

A word, phrase, number or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards, ignoring spaces, punctuation and capital letters.

"Racecar, kayak and level are the palindromes everyone learns first."

"'A man, a plan, a canal: Panama' is the most famous palindrome in English."

In genetics, a stretch of DNA whose sequence reads the same on both strands in the same direction, often marking a site where restriction enzymes cut.

"The enzyme recognises a six-base palindrome and cuts between the middle pair."

How to Use Palindrome

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA word or phrase that is the same read forwards or backwards.

When to use it

Neutral; common in puzzles, wordplay and school English.

Memory tip

The adjective is palindromic, as in a palindromic number such as 12321.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

anagram → semordnilap ambigram

Common pairings

palindrome date a perfect palindrome palindromic number

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Racecar, kayak and level are the _____ everyone learns first.

Etymology

From Greek palindromos 'running back again', from palin 'again, back' and dromos 'a running'.

Origin: Greek

Rhymes for palindrome

ome some come home Rome nome tome dome gnome genome become income

See all rhymes for palindrome →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the longest palindrome word in English?

In standard dictionaries it is usually given as 'detartrated' or the informal 'tattarrattat', coined by Joyce for a knock at the door. Among common everyday words 'racecar', 'redivider' and 'rotator' are the usual contenders.

Do palindromes count spaces and punctuation?

Conventionally no. A phrase counts as a palindrome if the letters alone read the same in both directions, which is why 'Never odd or even' and 'Madam, I'm Adam' qualify.

What is the difference between a palindrome and an anagram?

A palindrome reads identically backwards, keeping the letters in place. An anagram rearranges all the letters of a word or phrase to make a different one, as 'listen' becomes 'silent'.